Anger Disorder in the Electorate
Written by Jeff Rogers, Posted on , in Section Essential Reads
Anger Disorder in the Electorate
Nearly two years ago, the unexpected results of a presidential election angered nearly half of the U.S. population. Over the course of that time, we have witnessed the difference between those who were genuinely angered by their candidate’s loss in that election and those whose anger disorders have not let them have a moment’s peace ever since.
“First, we must acknowledge that some anger is a valid, necessary, appropriate and unavoidable human emotion.”
Dr. Stephen Diamond, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist
Anger
Anger in its simplest form is a basic human emotional reaction characterized by displeasure with a person, place, thing or event, and can manifest in varying degrees, from simple displeasure to extreme hostility. It is a feeling of tension caused by anxiety aroused by a perceived threat to one’s self-possessions, rights, or values.1
“It is not a question of whether we experience anger as much as it is how we deal with it.”
Dr. Stephen Diamond
Healthy Anger
Healthy anger involves being able to observe and experience getting angry, to whatever degree, but without being overwhelmed or consumed by it and then inappropriately reacting to it. Healthy anger involves recognizing the onset of anger as merely a sign for us to explore feelings, thoughts and body sensations that preceded it. Healthy anger involves re-directing our attention in order to let go present anger and then to communicate constructively and assertively with others.2
“Chronic repression or suppression of anger is counterproductive and, ultimately, futile and dangerous.”
Dr. Stephen Diamond
Anger Disorder
Anger Disorder is a pathologically aggressive, violent or self-destructive behavior driven by an underlying and chronically repressed anger or rage. Such typically result from long-term mismanagement of basic anger, completely skipping the stages of healthy anger. Such is also possible via neurological impairment and/or substance abuse. What is essentially lost with Anger Disorder, or not developed in the first place, is the ability to resist aggressive, angry or violent impulses from within.3
“…anger disorders arise from a failure to recognize and consciously address anger as it arises before it becomes pathological and dangerous…”
Dr. Stephen Diamond
Ultimately, for there to be any resolution or movement to a “agree to disagree” place of peace, all underlying anger must be consciously acknowledged, accepted, understood and its energy re-directed into a more constructive activity. It’s not going to go away on its own.3
“…anger is here to stay. The only real question is what we do with it.”
Dr. Stephen Diamond
Voters of Hillary Clinton woke up nearly two years ago struggling with waves of negative emotions, including shock, sadness, confusion, anxiety, depression, fear and…anger.4
Two years later, on the eve of another election (mid-term elections), so many of those same voters are more than angry, they are enraged. Their representatives are telling them to shout and scream at voters and supporters of Donald Trump, until they leave the public places they frequent, like restaurants, stores, gas stations, and so on.
“If you see anybody from [the Trump] cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them and tell them they’re not welcome anymore anywhere.”
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California)
Homeland Security Secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, was driven out of a Mexican restaurant by hecklers claiming to be members of the Democratic Socialists of America party. White House Press Secretary, Sarah Sanders, was asked to leave a restaurant by the owner, telling her the current administration is “inhuman.” Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnel, was loudly harassed by another patron at a restaurant while trying to eat his dinner. And Senior Advisor Stephen Miller had to endure protestors yelling at him from outside his condominium home.
The harassment of Trump staffers and supporters has escalated into an organized campaign of intimidation and violence. Six in ten Presidential aides report they worry about the violence from anti-Trump advocates and nearly one in three say they fear it will come down to a civil war.5
According to the latest Rasmussen Report, 59% of all voters are concerned that those opposed to Trump will resort to violence if they don’t get their way. Thirty-one percent say they believe the United States is likely to experience its second Civil War5 if the blind anger of the left does not cool down.
“Most voters across the partisan spectrum are concerned about political violence from those opposed to Trump’s policies…”
Rasmussen Report, 2018
Characteristics of persons with serious anger disorder include:6
- a low frustration tolerance…easily irritated by a difference of opinion
- judgemental and critical of views and opinions they don’t hold
- all or nothing thinking…black and white…right and wrong
- prone to loud outbursts…exploding verbally
- tend toward physical aggression and violent engagement
- uses anger to fuel actions and reactions…justifying their hatred
- casting blame elsewhere
- cannot let go of anger and move on
Sound familiar? "Methinks" there is an Anger Disorder in the electorate!
1 “Medical Dictionary,” The Free Dictionary.
2 “What Constitutes ‘Healthy Anger’?” Dr. Bernard Golden, Psychology Today, 2016.
3 “Anger Disorder: What It Is and What We Can Do About It,” Dr. Stephen Diamond.
4 “Democrats Don’t Have to Dodge Questions on Maxine Waters Anymore. They Have Their Marching Orders,” Becket Adams, 2018.
5 “Poll: 59% Fear Violence fromTrump Haters, 31% Predict Civil War,” Paul Bedard, 2018.
6 “Characteristics of People with Anger Problems,” Self-Sufficiency.
